Thursday, September 28, 2006

Soo Indians' News & Notes

The Soo Indians, with a record of 4-0, may be in position to move some players, if not to another NOJHL team, then to another junior league. At present, the Indians are carrying 15 forwards, eight defencemen and three goalies and the word is that coach/general manager Jim Capy is taking a long look at another forward of size and strength who he was recently tipped off about. When Capy does move some of his players, let’s hope that he finds takers within the NOJHL. As new commissioner Wayne Stickland noted recently: "We don’t want to lose players who want to be in our league to other leagues."

Among the top newcomers to the NOJHL who have stood out to me thus far this early season are Soo Indians’ defenceman Nick Novak, North Bay Skyhawks’ forward Joe Trotter and Blind River goalie Shawn Sirman.

Besides staying close to home in having Soo, Michigan products J.D. King and Daren Mansfield and Soo, Ontario native Daniel Vernelli, in their lineup, the Soo Indians have players on their roster from the states of Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, New York and Wisconsin.

As Abitibi searches for its first win of the season this weekend while away from home, Manitoulin also looks to enter the “W” column. The Islanders on Friday night will try to hand the Indians their first loss of the season when they give the Michiganders a Haweater welcome. Then on Saturday, Manitoulin resumes the North Shore rivalry with Blind River with a showdown in the Milltown.